Back on Sertraline 😟

[AnxiousAutismDad]

So long story short, I was on 25 mg for about 1 1/2 years for some social anxiety and panic attacks. Worked well, so much in fact that I decided to stop taking them, thinkng I was “cured”. Big mistake. About 2 months after the anxiety stated creeping back in slowly but surely to a point where I decided to go back on the meds. I guess I thought it would be easy but here I am on Day 13 and feeling just slightly better. I am still getting jitters here and there, absolutely no appetite and haven’t been back to work yet since I started taking it again (days off, some training days, sick time). I almost made it in to work today, showered and all but felt super nervous. I am a supervisor in law enforcement and don’t want to look crazy in front of staff. I took an additional 2 days off plus the weekend then I have to go back to work. I’ll be on day 18 by then, hopefully my body will start to chill out. I used to take a small dose of Xanax when I first startrd the meds 2 yrs ago to get me through the startup stages. Maybe I should take some more if need be. Anyway just venting here I guess, thanks for listening.

[kenster1]

hi I hope it picks up for you soon.medication does wonders at first but coming off them and staying off them can be difficult.lets hope sooner rather than later you come through it and get your life back on track.

[Meredyn]

Hi, AnxiousAutismDad. I hope the Sertraline starts to settle and to help you soon! Just to say - i'm a Mum to an autistic son (he's almost 23 now, and doing well - even working full time)! The growing up years are always challenging - and can cause us an awful lot of stress. Sending warmest wishes to you, your son and your family. ❤❤

[jessiejakes]

Hi Dr put me on citalopram 20 mg three weeks ago ,the side effects we're terrible more anxiety felt spaced out and woke up soaked in swet and panicky after 2 weeks rang doctor and he said stop citalopram and start sertraline half tablet for week =25 mg then up it to 50 mg but I have stayed in just the half tablet as they give me upset tummy and made me anxious and headaches etc.im on day 8 now and starting to feel better and calmer so I'm going to keep on just the 25 mg as I'm also signed off sick from work.the chemist told me that the sertraline won't take long to start working as I had already been 2 weeks on citalopram so they are both same kind of medication .so hopefully I have now settled down.i take my tablet at 9 pm at night few hours before bed .I also have half a 2 mg diazepam around 10.30 pm and that makes me sleep.so hang in there they can take weeks to work and maybe take something to help you through the first month.what dose are you taking now ? Do you get alot of wind and not much appetite on them ?

[jessiejakes]

Forgot to say chemist told me once the sertraline starts to kick in just start to cut down on diazepam and phase them out as was taking diazepam more often because of side effects of the citalopram where so bad.so perhaps you should take something to help you until sertraline kicks in.let me know how you are getting on.

[AnxiousAutismDad in reply to jessiejakes]

Last night was the first that I actually had an appetite and was calm. Also slept through the night. Might have to do with the fact that I am off from work for the next 4 days. There is a ton of pressure at work and I am settling in to a new position. I work in a very high stress environment and it has definitely deteriorated my mental health through the years. Either way I’ll enjoy this calm for now and hopefully it will continue. 🤞🏼

[jessiejakes in reply to AnxiousAutismDad]

I'm sure it will we just have to put our trust in this medication and let it work it's magic and we will be calm and relaxed at long last and enjoy the future.